Desert Living

This country of ours is so unique in that there is so much diversity. Not a provocative sentence I know but a continuing education and appreciation for us. While we hear of ice, snow, subzero temperatures in the Midwest we are experiencing dry air and warm temperatures. The seasons exist here in Arizona but the differences are not as great as other areas of this vast country.

RVICS has guidelines for us to follow. One of them is that we tour some interesting happenings in the area close to our work and Friday is suggested for tour since we all get done working for the week at 11:30 on Thursday. Some union we work for, right? We are on the tour committee so Friday we planned a tour to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The pictures of cactus are not unique to any of us but they still were interesting as the tour guide helped us understand their place in the whole range of living plants. Obviously the desert does not look very colorful right now but this plant still has some violet flowers on it. Welcome change from the pale green plants, sand and sage brush covering the rest of the Arboretum. We hope to go back when more of the plants are blossoming.

The tour was good but the dinner afterwards was just as much fun. Thursday we had scouted out the town of Superior to find a good place for the group to have lunch on Friday. We found the Los Hermanos Mexican restaurant and ate there. The staff was so kind and helpful to us. Then we noticed that they had a Tortilla Factory in the back room. We could walk right back and see the tortillas being made. A young man wanted me to take pictures on Thursday so on Friday I had the camera and took pictures of him and others. It was such a great treat for us to make this fun connection. Friday they were photographed by several more cameras and they laughed for each one. Almost more fun than the whole arboretum tour. By the way, the food was delicious and pleasing. The restaurant is advertised as authentic but how would any of us know if that is true or not.?

Saturday we usually have to ourselves. We ended up at a huge Sam's store. We didn't need a huge amount of items and that is good because when we live in an RV we really have to throw out as much as we come home with in order to keep some sense of organization in such a small area. You would be amazed at how I can pack and repack to get groceries in our cupboards.

We continue to do patching, painting, restoring, organizing, and whatever else needs doing. they are very appreciative of our help.

This morning we went back to the Hope Community Church in Gilbert. We enjoy it and find it interesting to see so many people from back home. And we understand not near all the snow birds go to this church. We plan to get more involved by going to a get-together of snow birds and church people next week Also to help with packing boxes for needy children. We are feeling well and handle the work quite well also. Internet is a pain at times and that is frustrating. However, we do get on everyday one way or another and who could fault us for wanting to keep up with such things as yesterday getting the news of another great granddaughter in Loveland, CO. Elissa, Linda and Chris's daughter, gave birth to a baby girl, Sophia, and she joins sister Kenley and Dad Mike. What a blessing!

Blessings and love to you all, Dad and Mom Marilyn and Wilmer